Consolidated Statement Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Cash received from customers	$ 26,435,178	$ 24,258,805	$ 21,927,372
Cash paid to vendors and employees	(25,827,475)	(24,008,367)	(21,329,102)
Interest paid, net	(18,313)	(15,927)	(14,015)
Income taxes paid	(85,978)	(73,211)	(48,790)
Net cash provided by operating activities	503,412	161,300	535,465
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(24,898)	(141,138)	(8,153)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	5,491
Expenditures for property and equipment	(13,385)	(18,614)	(14,486)
Software and software development costs	(30,985)	(13,288)	(14,379)
Net cash used in investing activities	(69,268)	(173,040)	(31,527)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the reissuance of treasury stock	35,093	5,005	37,959
Cash paid for purchase of treasury stock	(314,886)	(200,000)	0
Capital contributions and borrowings from joint venture partner	460	34,556	23,208
Net (repayments) borrowings on revolving credit loans	(41,195)	(46,645)	(19,116)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(352,316)	(454)	(5,654)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	2,003	1,180	963
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(670,841)	(206,358)	37,360
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(21,850)	(1,090)	38,793
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(258,547)	(219,188)	580,091
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	763,725	982,913	402,822
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	505,178	763,725	982,913
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net income attributable to shareholders of Tech Data Corporation	206,396	214,243	180,155
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	10,452	4,620	1,045
Consolidated net income	216,848	218,863	181,200
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries	28,294	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	57,332	47,285	45,954
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	10,546	11,517	10,953
Stock-based compensation expense	10,699	9,887	11,225
Accretion of debt discount on convertible senior debentures	8,994	10,278	10,278
Deferred income taxes	(29,746)	6,972	(2,541)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(2,003)	(1,180)	(963)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(48,887)	(113,303)	(168,152)
Inventories	370,858	(349,429)	116,543
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(43,358)	(34,601)	21,290
Accounts payable	(41,081)	335,813	328,122
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(35,084)	19,198	(18,444)
Total adjustments	286,564	(57,563)	354,265
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 503,412	$ 161,300	$ 535,465